Container



Sept. 15, 1936.

R. T. LAMBERT CONTAINER Filed 001:. 26, 1955 ZJ 1227/ i? djjzi n r I F E A,

Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNETELD STATES FATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a box having a separate compartment therein for the reception of coins so that the box is a combined container and bank.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and inexpensive means for forming in an ordinary box a small separate closed compartment having a slot through which coins may be inserted into the closed compartment. Another object of the invention is to encourage thrift, and also to make it convenient to accumulate a replacement fund during the dispensing of goods from the box, so that, when all of the goods have been dispensed, a new supply can be purchased.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the description of certain embodiments thereof which follows and to the illustration thereof on the drawing of which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box, cover and compartment-forming member.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of a modified form of box, a side wall being broken away to show the compartment-forming member.

The invention may be embodied in any kind or size of box. As illustrated, rectangular box l may be employed, this box being made of pasteboard, wood, metal, molded plastic, or any other suitable material for the purpose. A cover Il may be supplied to close the box. According to the invention, a compartment-forming member is inserted in the box before goods are placed therein. This compartment-forming member, as shown in Figure 1, may be formed of a single strip of shape-retaining sheet material, this strip being bent so that the member has a. portion I2 disposed vertically and adapted to engage against one of the end walls of the box H]. The member also has a sloping portion 13 making an inverted V with the portion l2 so that the lower edge of the sloping portion i3 is spaced substantially from the end wall against which the portion l2 abuts. From the lower edge of the portion I 3 a horizontal portion I 3 extends to the opposite end wall of the box. Preferably, an additional portion 55 extends from the lower edge of the portion 12 to or beyond the lower edge of the portion [3, but the portion l may be omitted if desired. 'At the junction of the portions l2 and 3, a suitable slot 263 may be provided for the insertion of coins into the compartment formed by the portion 53. The compartment-forming member is inserted into the box H3 so that the portions It and i5 lie against the bottom of the box and. the portion l2 lies against an end wall of the box. Since the compartment-forming member is of the same width as the inner width of the box, the side edges of the strip of material engage the side walls of the box so that the side walls cooperate with the portion l3 to form a compartment which is completely closed except for the slot 20. The compartment-forming member may be secured in place or not as desired. If it is preferred to secure the member permanently in place, suitable adhesives or fasteners can be used. After the compartment-forming member has been inserted in the box II], the box can be filled with any desired commodity, such as candy, except for the small compartment formed by the portion l3. When the candy or other commodity is dispensed, coins may be dropped into the slot so as to accumulate a fund in the small compartment. The upper edge of the portion l2, where it joins the portion l3, may be below, flush with, or above the edge of the box In, as desired, so long as it does not interfere with the cover II when the latter is placed in position on the box.

Figure 2 illustrates a modified form of the invention wherein the coin-receiving compartment is spaced from the 'ends of the box. As shown in this figure, the compartment-forming strip may consist of two horizontal portions and 26, the ends of which engage the end walls of the box. Between the portions 25 and 26 are a pair of sloping portions- 2! and 28 which are joined at their upper edges to form an inverted V. At the apex of this V is a coin-receiving slot 30. The sloping portions 21 and 28 form with the side walls of the box a closed compartment for coins, this compartment being used in the same manner as that shown in Figure 1 and hereinbefore described.

It is evident that various modifications and. changes can be made in the particular embodiments of the invention shown on the drawing without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the following claim.

I claim:-

In a box, a compartment-forming member of sheet material having a width substantially equal to the inner width of the box, said member having a portion disposed against an end wall of said box, a, second portion sloping away from said first portion to engage the bottom of the box at a point spaced from said end wall, said member also including a third portion lying against the bottom of the box and extending to the opposite end wall thereof, said second portion having a coin slot therein.

RICHARD T. LAMBERT. 

